Last-minute surprises on filing deadline for March 4 primaries

The month-long registration period for the March 4 Democratic and Republican primaries ended at 6 p.m. Monday and, as it often happens before the filing deadline, there were a few last-minute surprises.

Although as of late Monday neither party had released the full list of incumbents, challengers and candidates for open seats, so far the biggest surprise is that U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman is challenging U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

The Friendswood lawmaker is the seventh Republican challenger the senior senator from Texas will face – possibly a record number of intraparty opponents a sitting senator draws – another sign of the growing anti-incumbent sentiment in the Lone Star State, especially in the GOP.

Another big surprise is that veteran Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Lawrence “Larry” Meyers switched parties to run as a Democrat for a Texas Supreme Court seat, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

There were a few other last minute surprises and filings, including former Lubbock County Republican Party chairman Chris Winn who – for the second consecutive time – is taking on veteran U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, also of Lubbock.

Donald May, who calls himself “Mr. Conservative,” is also challenging Neugebauer in the spring election.

If there are more surprises or notable late filings we’ll update this posting.